The Kalalau Trail is closed indefinitely

It's unclear when the park will reopen, but you can still see the Napali Coastline in other ways.

By Christine Hitt Apr 25, 2018

The scenic wonders of the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park will have to be seen from afar for the time being, as repairs to the highway leading to the park are ongoing following major flooding that brought multiple landslides to the north shore of Kauai earlier this month.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is currently evaluating what damage, if any, has been done to the 11-mile Kalalau Trail by air, but it hasn’t yet been assessed on the ground. Until the highway reopens and the trail is deemed safe, the park will be closed “for an extended period of time.”

If you are holding a permit for the Kalalau Trail, refunds (less the 10 percent administration fee) can be requested by calling the Kauai State Parks office at (808) 274-3444 on the date of the permit. Refunds can also be done online, but it will incur a $5 cancellation fee.

Other ways to see the Napali Coast

Helicopter and boat tours are operating normally along the Napali Coastline, and landings at Nualolo Kai are still possible with tour operators such as Captain Andy’s and Blue Ocean Adventures. If you really had your heart set on a hike, the Kokee State Park Trails in the ridges above the Napali Coast are open and can be accessed via the south shore of Kauai on the road above Waimea Canyon. Many of these trails will give you breathtaking bird’s-eye views of the Napali Coast’s different valleys, including Nualolo, Awaawapuhi and Kalalau Valleys.